Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the project be funded? Will businesses be assessed?

At this time, the exact funding and financial impacts are not yet laid out in detail. This project will be funded through multiple sources, Federal, State, County and City funding. On the City side of the funding, much of the utility work will be funded through the city utility (sewer, water and electric) funds. A portion of the City's other financial obligation on the project will also need to be funded through the City's general tax levy funding (city-wide property taxes) and presumably through some level of assessment to the benefiting properties.

As part of the project process the cost and funding (including estimated assessments) on the project will be reviewed in a feasibility study and made available to the public at a future neighborhood meeting and on-line later this fall, followed shortly afterwards with a public hearing with the City Council. Assessments would be levied in 2020, payable beginning in 2021 and typically paid over a 15-year payment period. Additional questions about assessments or the assessment process should be directed to Chris Cavett, City Engineer (877.316.7636)

What am I responsible for in regards to water and sewer utilities as a property owner adjacent to the roadway?

Sanitary sewer services and water services will be replaced during the project between the newly constructed mains in the street and the property line, (property line is typically 33-feet from centerline). For the commercial buildings located at or close to the property line / right-of-way, the city will be working with property owners to explore options of bringing those utilities up to or even into the building. More information will be provided as more details are known. HOWEVER, property owners should begin to investigate plumbing (sewer and water) service needs within their buildings and consider what changes or improvement might make sense within the buildings prior to the project. Having the ability to stub out services prior to the project may be the easiest and cleanest for all involved. Additional questions about sewer and water services should be directed to Chris Cavett, City Engineer (877.316.7636).

Will the parking change in the business area?

At this point, the parking in the downtown is expected to be very similar to what it is today.

Why are bump-outs installed?

Bump-outs, or curb extensions were installed as part of the 1990 improvement project. They are also planned to be included as part of this reconstruction project as a design feature that provides the following benefits:

Improve safety by reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians.

Provide a safe refuge for pedestrians to see and be seen by vehicles.

Narrowing the roadway helps reduce traffic speeds.

The area can also be used for streetscaping (planters, lighting, seating) and ADA requirements (ramps, push buttons, etc.).

Will this project fix drainage issues by the railroad tracks?

Drainage west of Columbus Avenue flows west towards the railroad tracks where there is a low point in the street and from there catch basins and an existing undersized storm sewer drains to the Phillip Creek. The designers will be exploring options and modeling storm conditions to improve operations. This project will provide larger capacity storm sewer to help increase the amount of water that can be drained from the roadway. The project will improve the drainage capacity for most storm events. However, the area is still somewhat limited in capacity during multiple rain events or continual wet periods when the level of Phillip Creek may be high. . When the water levels in the creek are high (a day after a large rainfall, for example), water drained from Main Street may be slow to drain into the creek, causing some of the backup and flooding that is experienced near the tracks. Additional questions about drainage issues should be directed to Chris Cavett, City Engineer (877.316.7636).